David Jason calls for return to traditional comedy

Television channels should bring back traditional comedies because there are
no longer enough shows aimed at families, Sir David Jason has said.

The Royal Bodyguard, in which Sir David played an aged and bungling minder to the Queen, was aimed at resurrecting the traditional broad-appeal sitcom but was savaged by critics for its laboured script and improbable premisePhoto: BBC/Hat Trick

Sir David told BBC News: "I do think there is more of a space for this old-fashioned type of comedy.

"There is enough out there that is what they call edgy and quite hard-hitting and modern and fashionable. There's nothing wrong with that. It's fine. But you can't have a diet of just potatoes. You've got to have meat and two veg.

"I think we haven't been catering enough for families in general. And I think the BBC have taken that on board and are trying to redress the balance."

In the pilot episode of Pearly Gates the undertakers, led by Mark Williams of the Fast Show, arrive with a coffin at the wrong church and end up gatecrashing a wedding.

They also arrange a floral tribute to a deceased man called Eddie wrongly, so that it reads "E Died".

The Royal Bodyguard, in which Sir David played an aged and bungling minder to the Queen, was aimed at resurrecting the traditional broad-appeal sitcom but was savaged by critics for its laboured script and improbable premise.

Sir David admitted the show had not been a success but said modern programmes are not given a chance to develop in the same way as shows like Only Fools and Horses and Dad's Army, which grew in popularity after dismal early ratings.

He said: "You can't get it right all the time ... perhaps I think we didn't quite bring it off and it came in for quite a lot of harsh criticism.

"In the old days you would get a second or third chance at doing a sitcom, but the pressure is on so much to be a success straight away that they won't allow you to have another go and learn from your mistakes."

"In those days they would care for a project and give you another chance and nurture it a bit. But I'm afraid in this day and age you've got to have an instant success or they give you the elbow."